test-drb August 2001

test-drb@ccmp.vtda.org

295 participants
726 discussions

HP2000 Access - It LIVES! *GRIN*

by west＠tseinc.com

I am now the proud owner of a living breathing HP2000Access system. Today I got the IOP configured and running, then the system processor followed suit in short order. I was quite concerned that after spending years on getting the hardware all tested and passing diagnostics that I'd go to load the OS and the OS tape would be bad. Fortunately, that was not the case, the OS tape read and installed just beautifully! I was able to do system console commands like ROS, DIR, SLE, HIB, CRE, etc. Was even able to do ANN-ALL,System going down now! before shutting it down. The biggest wrinkle I ran into at the last minute was loading the cross-link and mag tape boot loader from the IOP to the system processor. The documentation was slightly obtuse about this, and I just couldn't get it to work. Finally I just said "heck with the cross-link" and moved the paper tape reader to the system processor and did it there. That means I can't share the paper tape reader to users on the system, something I really need to do so I can easily duplicate tapes and read them under BASIC. The way I was trying to load that tape was strange anyway, because I don't have the "loader/loader" tape. If anyone has a copy of the "loader/loader" tape, I would GREATLY appreciate a copy so I can install and configure the system the way you're supposed to instead of the kludge that I did. I did not hook up a terminal to the system other than the system console, I need to do many hours of soldering to rebuild the mux panel that I have. But since the MESS and ANN commands work, it's pretty likely the mux boards are in fact fine. I just may take tomorrow off work to build the mux panel and hook up a terminal other than the console. The only thing left to do on the system is rerack everything. The components aren't in my better racks, and some are not quite mounted properly, etc. So, basically cosmetic stuff. One thing I need to ask the list for (besides a copy of the loader/loader mentioned above) - an initial system load of TSB doesn't have any system library. I seem to recall one or more list members telling me they had HIB tapes of system libraries (hopefully including things like startrk, wumpus, hanoi, etc.). Now that the system is up and running, I would love to borrow any and all HIB tapes I can get to build a nice system library. If I get multiple tapes from multiple people, I'd be happy to send a tape back that includes the entire library from everyone. I'll probably key in all the programs from the David Ahl computer games book too. Finally - I suspect others on the list might be trying to build HP2000 TSB systems too - now that mine is running, after the dust settles I will most likely have duplicates of things that I have amassed - software, hardware, etc. I will gladly offer the excess/duplicates of stuff to listmembers. Preference will be given to people who are fairly close to a running system, so that we can get as many of these machines up as possible. Regards, Jay West

23 years, 3 months

Tony, try this ;>)

by acme_ent＠bellsouth.net

Dick Erlacher wrote: > > Winding a transformer is not a way to save money if you value your time at > > 50-cents per hour. I offered to ship him a complete S-100 mainframe for $5 + Tony Duell replied: > You've made this sort of comment before, and I still can't understand it... > > For many of us on this list, classic computers are a hobby. We work with > them because we enjoy them. Not because we make money with them (at least > not all the time). > > And IMHO it is wrong to value time spend on a hobby at anything other > than $0 per hour. You spend that time because you enjoy it. Not to make > money or save money. If you weren't working on classic computers, what > else would you be doing? Most of us are working stiffs, Tony. Our free time is limited. I figure it this way: an hour of my free time is worth at least twice as much as I earn per hour, since I have fewer of those "free" hours (supply and demand). If I chased down the parts and rolled-my-own transformer, it could easily consume $1000 of my free time. If I want to use or revive an old computer it's "cheaper" for me to buy off-the-shelf components because this doesn't burn up a lot of time I could be spending actually *using* said computer. Same thing applies to swapping out a serial board vs. replacing the UART: boards are cheap and plentiful, swapping the UART is time-consuming. If I just "loved" winding transformers my viewpoint might be different, but I don't ;>) > I can assure you I wouldn't do it if I could find a suitable transformer > or transformers in the catalogues. But I would do it if it was the only > way to keep a machine running. Sure, because a no-longer-available item is, literally, priceless -- it cannot be bought for any price, so a big expenditure of free time is justified if the item in question can be recreated. I hope some of this makes sense to you. Glen 0/0

23 years, 3 months

S-100 Power Supplies: thanks!

by r_beaudry＠hotmail.com

Date: Tue, 28 Aug 2001 21:53:29 +0100 (BST) From: ard(a)p850ug1.demon.co.uk (Tony Duell) Subject: Re: S-100 Power Supplies: thanks! >Have you considered winding your own transformer. Uhhh ... hadn't thought of that! :-) > In the UK we can buy 'transformer kits'. Did a quick search of a couple of distributors, but no luck yet ... I'll keep looking, though! >According to my calculator, 6.3V * sqrt(2) = 8.9V or thereabouts. Since >the 8V line is unregulated anyway, I would think you could start with a >6.3V transformer. Can you really no longer buy valve heater transformers??? !@$#!@$!!~!!!! I found a couple of 6.3V transformers, one at 8.8A, one at 12A ... I must be going blind... I don't think they'd power my 21-slot backplane, but I do have a couple of smaller ones that would probably be just fine... Rich B.

23 years, 3 months

IBM Dos 4.00

by SUPRDAVE＠aol.com

Dos is in ROM on this model.(2011 or 2121?) There are two files that will be needed: CUSTOMIZ.EXE & CONFIGUR.EXE one of those gives the option to tell the computer to boot from the hard drive rather than the ROM DOS. MS has something in their knowledge base about it if you can figure out how to use their crappy search method. david, former PS/1 support In a message dated 8/30/2001 3:03:53 PM Central Daylight Time, vance(a)ikickass.org writes: > I could make copies of mine for you, if you would like. I would have no > problem doing it for the cost of shipping. > > Peace... Sridhar > > On Thu, 30 Aug 2001, Mark or Beth Dorman wrote: > > > I have an IBM PS/1 that I messed up the 4.0 ver by trying to upgrade b/4 I > > realized there was a partitioned D drive. Now, I'm stuck 'cause I can't > > use FDISK because the command is not there. > > > > When the p/c is turned on, the IBM DOS Version 4.00 comes up, so I'm > > assumming the only way I can fix this is to re-load the program..only I > > can't find them. > > > > I did all this before I was smart enough to go to school and learn > > something before delete files!! > > > > Do you still have the 4.0 disk for sale? > > > > Thanks, > > Beth Dorman > > > > >

23 years, 3 months

Last week's finds

by optimus＠canit.se

This last week's been busy. I've finally found my own VAX system, a VAXstation 3100. Hardly state of the art, but at least it's got graphics and ethernet. The 'station has got two RZ23 (100 MB) drives and a floppy drive mounted internally. I also got some external cases, the markings seem to imply that they contain VMS. VMS is one OS which I've never, ever run, which is interesting. But what about breaking into this system? Is there any trick to forced entry into VMS, and what are you to do once you're inside? Any pointers for a VAX newbie? I also salvaged three monitors for the VAX. One 21" DEC, another 16/17", and a 16" Eizo 9070S, which unfortunately is broken, but the error seems to be a documented case, so I'll have a go at fixing it. The Eizo is the top dog, since it's a digital/analogue multisync (or Flexscan in Eizo language), unfortunately, it will only sync down to 20 KHz. Unfortunately, while I was loading the screens inside the bulding, some bastard walked off with the 17" DEC. Bloody idiot, what's he going to do with a 1989 vintage sync-on-green fix-frequency screen? Fortunately, I found an identical screen today. I'll have to try it out once it's dry. I also found a DEC drawing tablet. Plugs into the DEC mini-DIN-6 mouse port. Unfortunately it's got no pen or puck. There is no plug for the drawing instrument, so I suppose it's some kind of magnetic device. Anyone know some kind of replacement? The unit is called the VSXXX-AB. I found some ARCnet equipment, including two Thomas-Conrad 16-port active hubs. Another big haul was a motherlode of retired Luxor equipment. I grabbed four ABC806 units (flattish desktop boxes made out of a lot of metal), along with four keyboards. The keyboards were three different models. Two were more or less the same as the ABC800 keyboard, only in a stand-alone enclosure. One was the smaller, numerical-less unit, and one was a Facit-made one with a lot of keys (such as a very odd tilting arrow key) and LEDs. It also had a D15 at one end. I suspect that this keyboard was designed for the ABC1600, and the mouse would plug into the D15. Besides, the '806es, I found an ABC16, which is a rare PC-compatibility unit for the ABC series, mounted in an ABC806 enclosure. I also grabbed one or two dual 5?" drives (I can't recall the number right now, but it's not the ABC838), an ABC-bus expansion enclosure (the diskdrives were mounted in the same kind of box), and an absolutely hulking enclosure with dual 8" drives and ABC-bus backplane. Besides that, I had to leave about as much stuff behind. Most of it is at a friend's house, so I haven't been able to test it much. I suspect that some part of my monitor is dead, though. It will power up an '806 (I can determine that by the beeping), but there is no image. It could be a cable issue, though. This particular cable is the one with the "Stenmark switch", designed for the monitors which doubled as TV receivers. Unfortunately, they seemed to have eliminated all the software, or perhaps they're still running parts of the system. If you want to have a look at some of the systems I'm talking about, have a look at this site: http://user.tninet.se/~lmx072e/abc800/abc800_pics.htm I've found two pretty little terminals. One is called the "Datascreen" or "Compuscreen", IIRC, and is an integrated unit, seemingly from the late seventines. Looks a bit like a sleeker version of a PET or a Superbrain. The other one is a TECO VA-120, and I absolutely adore it! It's a sleek design with the intelligence fit into the foot and a very spacy look. Unfortunately, the display makes a squealing sound, though the keyboard seems to indicate that the unit works otherwise. The pitch of the squeal may be calibrated through the V.HOLD pot in the back. What do you do with a unit like this? At the fleamarket, I bought a Sanyo Sanword Mini-J, which is a late- eighties/early nineties Japanese word processing machine with built-in printer. The printer doesn't seem to work for me, but the wordpro is good enough in itself, what with the sad state of Japanese wordpros for the Amiga. =) I've also got hold of a Spectrum, rehoused into sa rather amateurish case with a mechanical keyboard. The case could have been done by anyone with a piece of sheet metal and a pincer. -- En ligne avec Thor 2.6a. Och har du en TV utan Scart, vilket nittionio procent faktiskt har, kommer de f?rmodligen att ringa fr?n Antikrundan. Martin Timell

23 years, 3 months

VAX 11/780 to 785 upgrade, what does it take?

by gunther＠aurora.regenstrief.org

Hello, I know some of you are former VAX field service technicians or have other deep working knowledge of this: what exactly (!) does it take to upgrade a VAX 11/780 to a VAX 11/785 (or 11/780-5 as it was called.) I believe this includes changing the SBI backplane. But what else does it include? Is the console computer any different? Power supply? As you probably all know, I have the 11/785 board set on hand but no cabinet. Now I have the chance of transporting one or two 11/780 accross the country. Those are in real good shape as I gather (were stored inside!) So I figure I rather have a nice 11/780 than a rusty incomplete 11/785 that lacks a console computer. And with some chance I can upgrade one to an 11/780-5. So, what does it take? thanks for your advice, -Gunther -- Gunther Schadow, M.D., Ph.D. gschadow(a)regenstrief.org Medical Information Scientist Regenstrief Institute for Health Care Adjunct Assistant Professor Indiana University School of Medicine tel:1(317)630-7960 http://aurora.regenstrief.org

23 years, 3 months

Apple LISA easter egg...

by DAW＠yalepress3.unipress.yale.edu

Jeff --- While I was perusing your website, I ran across the page talking about the Lisa, http://www.geocities.com/j_hellige/LISA2.HTML I tried the easter egg, at the bottom of the page, on my OS9.1 Mac. They shotened it. Now, it only says "Finder - Created by all of the folks here at Apple. Inspired by the distinguished history of the Macintosh desktop.", still in front of the picture of the Apple campus. So much for the homage to the Lisa and her programmers... --- David A Woyciesjes --- C & IS Support Specialist --- Yale University Press --- mailto:david.woyciesjes@yale.edu --- (203) 432-0953 --- ICQ # - 905818 ! -----Original Message----- ! From: Jeff Hellige [mailto:jhellige@earthlink.net] ! Sent: Wednesday, August 29, 2001 5:18 PM ! To: classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org ! Subject: Re: S-100 Power Supplies: thanks! <<<<<clipped>>>>> ! Home of the TRS-80 Model 2000 FAQ File ! http://www.cchaven.com ! http://www.geocities.com/siliconvalley/lakes/6757 !

23 years, 3 months

Looking of Digital Alpha CPU/Motherboard

by DAW＠yalepress3.unipress.yale.edu

Well, someone on the Alpha-NT email list (which I'm sending this message to) should have a clue for you... (AlphaNT- don't forget to keep Jacek's address in the reply...) --- David A Woyciesjes --- C & IS Support Specialist --- Yale University Press --- mailto:david.woyciesjes@yale.edu --- (203) 432-0953 --- ICQ # - 905818 ! -----Original Message----- ! From: Jacek Artymiak [mailto:workstations@poczta.onet.pl] ! Sent: Thursday, August 30, 2001 10:30 AM ! To: classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org ! Subject: Looking of Digital Alpha CPU/Motherboard ! ! ! Hi all, ! ! I acquired a small lot of Alpha 166 and 233MHz CPUs. ! Unfortunately, the ! AXPpci 33 motherboard I have does not work with the Alpha ! 21164-AA CPU I ! found in the box of Alpha CPUs sent to me. ! ! Does anyone know which DEC motherboards work with the Digital ! Alpha 233MHz ! 21164-AA CPU? I tried looking for information on the net, ! but found very ! few pointers. ! ! Jacek Artymiak ! ! ! ! -- ! ! OnetKomunikator - porozumiesz sie ! z innymi [ http://ok.onet.pl/instaluj.html ] !

23 years, 3 months

Any interest in Apple IIgs computers?

by r_beaudry＠hotmail.com

Hello all, Two local schools in my area are trying to get rid of some Apple IIgs computers. I found out about this in time to save them from the dumpster. The total number of computers is somewhere between 50 and 100. I have NOT seen the computers, so I have no idea what shape they are in. I assume they are dirty, and may have school markings engraved or painted on them. I am going to see them on Tuesday, so I will have a better idea of the details then. I would like to accomplish two things: Get these computers to people that will use them, and make a donation to the schools. Assuming the computers are in working order, complete and functional, and assuming they may need a good cleaning, and may have school marking on them, how many people would be interested in them for $5.00 each + shipping (for those with small fonts, that's FIVE dollars, plus shipping)? I live in Massachusetts, USA, ZIP code 01473. Please respond OFF-LIST... And remember, I have NOT seen them yet, so I cannot give any more details than what you see here. Your responses will NOT be binding in ANY way ... I'm just trying to gauge general interest... Rich B.

23 years, 3 months

S-100 Power Supplies: thanks!

by r_beaudry＠hotmail.com

Hello all, Thanks to all for the wonderful hints and tips. I have already gotten offers from several people to send/pick-up full power supplies. I will certainly follow up on some of those (but not all, simply because I could use a couple, not 5 or ten! :-). I will also get the 6.3V transformer, and try to build my own, just to know I can do it. Dick is right: In this particular case (though not all), I'd rather buy/get than build. Partially this is due to my inexperience at building power supplies. I have several S-100 backplanes, and many S-100 cards, but only one power supply. I'd like to get more S-100 stuff going, and I'd rather not release the magic smoke on my cards due to a bad design or bad construction methods. These boards are getting harder to find (at least in my corner of the world), so if I have a known working supply, I'd rather use that. On the other hand, this is the perfect opportunity to learn how to build a power supply. However, as Dick also pointed out, that is a secondary concern. I am more anxious to get the S-100 stuff running than I am to build a power supply. I will build one up, however (and test it thoroughly), and put it into operation. It's just that it will take me more time to get things running if I have to build up a power supply, rather than getting one already made. Thanks again to all, Rich B.

23 years, 3 months

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test-drb August 2001